This worked ok when I tried it:
Code:
Public Class Form1
'code in mdiform
Private Sub Form1_Shown(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Shown
Dim frm As New Form2
frm.TopLevel = False
frm.Parent = Me.TabPage1
frm.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
frm.Show()
Me.TabPage1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
Me.TabPage2.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
End Sub
Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
Me.SplitContainer1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
Me.TabControl1.Dock = DockStyle.Fill
End Sub
End Class